News

Hi Everyone,

It’s been a while since my last post, mainly because I didn’t have a lot of news to share, and didn’t want to waste your time with unimportant stuff. I do apologize for not sending out a post that the CSLN December Coffeehouse had to be cancelled, due to a scheduling conflict. We hope to get back on schedule the first Friday of even numbered months, so the next one is set for Friday, Feb. 6th. I don’t have word yet on Spotlight Performers, but I will include that in the next newsletter.

I hope this has been a good year for you. The truth is, I’ve had better. I contracted Bell’s Palsy at the end of April, and it took a few months to get over it–the muscles on the left side of my face went numb, affecting my appearance, vision, speech and singing. Fortunately, that’s better now. I was also told that a biopsy showed there was a 50% chance that a mass on my thyroid was cancerous, but now they think that is less likely–I will get another ultrasound in April to confirm–expecting good news. Other stuff too–I’m looking forward to a brand new year.

On the positive side, I am in the process of re-assembling the Gordon Ellis Ensemble. My keyboard player, who had 3 major back surgeries in the past year, is able to play again, so he, I and our drummer have gotten together a few times to re-familiarize ourselves with the repertoire. During the long hiatus, we lost our lead guitarist and bass player, so we will be looking for replacements after the first of the year, and I hope to start booking gigs again in 2026.

During stressful times, I am grateful to have my friends, the CSLN community, and our teaching to lean on, as well as my music. As this year winds down, I hope that you have people in your life to lean on if you need it, and people to share the good stuff with, as well. I wish you all a happy holiday season and a great 2026.

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

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Hi Everyone,

Not a whole lot to share at the moment; however I wanted to let you know that the CSLN Oct, 3rd Coffeehouse has been cancelled. There were a number of logistical reasons–not necessary to go into here–but we hope to get back on track in December.

SCAM ALERT: I got an email from the Interim Minister at CSLN, who flies in once a month to do the Sunday Service and lead a workshop or seminar. She said she was doing a presentation and wanted to present two of the participants with gift cards, but she didn’t have time to get them–would I purchase them and she would reimburse me. Now I have heard of scams like this, so normally I would have sent her a separate email to verify that this really came from her, but I didn’t have her email or phone number, and when I clicked on the sender’s email, it did not show up as another email address (Normally a tip-off with a scam). Furthermore (This is the scary part), it was worded in a way that sounded like her (I guess AI captured her writing style and used it in the original email as well as her responses to me). I won’t go into the details here or the back and forth exchanges, but I will admit that I got scammed and have lost some money, simply trying to help someone I knew. I don’t know how you guard against this if you don’t have the senders email in your own address book, or their phone number, but I think in the future, if I can’t verify that the sender is who they say they are, I will not respond. Fortunately, the loss isn’t so bad that I can’t absorb it, but it pisses me off that our government can’t seem to do anything to prevent these scams–the criminals are always 10 steps ahead! They can also do this with phone calls. So, beware, folks.

Well, that’s all for this month. Enjoy fall (When it finally actually gets here–LOL).

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

Hope the summer has gone well for you. Summer here in Ellisville is coming back with a vengeance! After a week or so of very pleasant fall weather, the next 7 days are predicted to be in the 90s again, peaking at 95 on Sunday. Put away the fall blanket–bring back the summer blanket.

At the beginning of August, I had the pleasure of being one of 3 Spotlight Performers at the CSLN Coffeehouse, getting to perform a half hour set of my music. In the past, when doing a set of more than 4 songs by myself, I have had someone backing me, but this time, I accompanied myself solo on all the songs, and it went very well (I think a standing ovations qualifies for “very well”, right?). A couple of days later, I was the Guest Performer at our CSLN Sunday Service, doing 3 originals. Again, a very enthusiastic and gratifying response.

This Sunday, I will again be the Guest Performer at CSLN–my first time performing in our new home, and I am really looking forward to it. Instead of all originals, this time I will be performing at great Barry Manilow song, called “All The Time.” It is an emotionally powerful ballad that anyone who has ever felt “different”but transcended the loneliness can probably relate to. The service starts with the opening song right at 10:30 a.m.

By the way, big congrats to B. Sadler, who at the age of 91 climbed Tennessee’s 6000 foot Mt. Leconte last week. The man is truly in great shape!

And finally, our next Coffeehouse will be Friday, Oct. 3rd. We don’t have all the Spotlight Performers lined up, but one of them will be the ever popular and always amazing Shawn Gallaway, whose uplifting “Conscious Music” has been performed around the world, including for the Dalai Lama! More about the Coffeehouse to come.

Well, that’s it for this edition. Enjoy fall (whenever it gets here).

Be safe, be well, be you.

Gordon

Hi Everyone,

Just a brief post here. This Sunday, Aug. 17th, I am honored to be our last “Guest Performer” at CSLN’s Sunday Service on the Unity Campus. I will be doing three original songs during the service, starting at noon sharp. Unity is at 5125 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220.

After that, we will be holding our services at 160 Belle Forest Circle, starting Sunday, August 24th at our new time, 10:30 a.m. I hope you can make this milestone service on Sunday–Dr. Mitch Johnson will be speaking.

Be safe, be well, be you!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the summer. Here in Ellisville, it has been plenty hot, and humid. I think today makes 20 straight days of 90+ degree heat with at least another week to follow. With the humidity, I think the heat index has been around 400 degrees (LOL).

Though still not fully over the Bell’s Palsey that started near the end of April, I am much better. My mouth looks normal again (though there is still some slight numbness on the left side), and my voice is pretty much back, so I am performing again. I resumed my Seniors’ Residence gigs in June, was a Guest Performer at the CSLN Sunday Service a few weeks ago, and have re-scheduled my Spotlight Performer slot at the CSLN Coffeehouse from June to our upcoming Coffeehouse, which is next week. Unfortunately, the vision in my left eye, though better, has not yet fully returned, but I am optimistic that it will.

Speaking of the Coffeehouse, it will be next Friday, August 1st. We will have the Open Mic from 6:30 – 7 p.m. (Signup is at 6 p.m., with 7 slots open). Original songs, poems, stand up comedy, short stories, etc. (Maximum 5 minutes per song, story, poem, etc.). This will be followed by three Spotlight Performers, each doing a half hour set. Saralina’s music is soothing and healing; Rique is a talented singer/songwriter/actor and is a real hoot; and I will be doing a set of all original “Relevant Country”/Americana music. Please see the flyer I have copied and pasted below. This will be our last Coffeehouse at the Unity Of Nashville location, as CSLN is expected to move into our own building around Aug. 21st. The address at Unity is 5125 Franklin Pike, Nashville, 37220. Potluck snacks and drinks, and Love Offering to CSLN always appreciated. Let’s close out this last Coffeehouse at Unity with a great turnout!

And yes, CSLN will have it’s own building again in late August. No more renting–no more need to coordinate Sunday services. I know that for people living East or South of Nashville it is a bit longer drive, but probably only about 10 minutes longer then our old building was. Hope you will still come out.

Well, that’s all for this edition. Y’all stay cool. Be safe, be well, be you!

Gordon